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Big 12 women go undefeated in three first-round March Madness games

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Matthew Postins | Last updated Mar 20, 2026 11:15 PM ET

The Big 12 Conference got off to a dominant start on Friday, as their three teams in action all won their first-round games in the NCAA Women’s Tournament.

TCU was the only one playing at home, as the Horned Frogs earned a Top 16 seed and a home regional. That helped them cruise to a win over UC San Diego. Baylor was on the road in Durham, NC, and needed a big fourth quarter to put away Nebraska. And, Texas Tech was in Baton Rouge, La., and beat Villanova to snap a long streak of its own.

With Arizona State’s loss in the First Four on Thursday, the Big 12 is down to seven teams in March Madness. The remaining teams are in action on Saturday, which concludes first round action.

TCU 86, UC San Diego 40

No. 3 seeded TCU made short work of No. 14 seeded UC San Diego, as the Horned Frogs (30-5), beat the Tritons (24-9) in a game where guard Olivia Miles had a triple-double, which was her sixth of the season. She finished with 12 points, 14 assists and 16 rebounds. It made her the first player in NCAA history to record at least 14 rebounds and assists in an NCAA Tournament game. She also broke TCU’s single game assist record.

Taylor Bigby scored a career-high 27 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including five 3-pointers. Clara Silva (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Marta Suarez (11 points, 10 rebounds) also had double-doubles.

The Horned Frogs will face No. 6 seed Washington on Sunday, with the winner of that game going to the Sweet 16. TCU is trying to get there for the second straight season. The Horned Frogs reached last year’s Elite Eight before losing to Texas.

Baylor 67, Nebraska 62

Baylor outscored Nebraska, 26-15, in the fourth quarter to walk away with a five-point win their first-round game at Durham, N.C. The win sets up a rematch for Baylor with No. 3 seeded Duke on Sunday. The two teams met in the season opener in Paris, France, with the Bears winning the game.

The Bears extended their streak of reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament to 22 years. They’re seeking a return to the Sweet 16 after a one-year absence.

Nearly automatic in the first round

Baylor has won 23 straight games in the first round of women's March Madness.

The Bears haven't lost a first-round game since 2001 pic.twitter.com/5DBTxnqqxF
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 20, 2026

Guard Taliah Scott led Baylor with 15 points, including a 9-for-12 game at the free-throw line. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs recorded her 14th double-double with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek added 12 points, while Bella Fontleroy finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Texas Tech 57, Villanova 52

The No. 7 seeded Lady Raiders (26-7) outlasted the No. 10 seeded Wildcats (25-8) in a game that marked a huge moment in Texas Tech’s return to prominence. It was the program’s first March Madness win since 2005 when it beat Middle Tennessee in the second round. Friday’s game was just the Lady Raiders’ third NCAA Tournament appearance since then.

Tech outscored Villanova, 17-11, in the fourth quarter and withstood a rally by the Wildcats that cut the lead to three points in the final seconds. Texas Tech’s Bailey Maupin scored the final seven points for the Lady Raiders, including four free throws. She led with 17 points and went 7-for-7 at the free throw line. Denae Fritz added 13 points.

Now, Texas Tech faces No. 2 seed LSU on Sunday. The Tigers are coached by former Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey.